[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
this *homebrew* wturbine reportedly withstands 60+ mph winds. i can't see
how even stronger ones couldn't be made. i have my own idea of how it could be
done. . . .
Then I've misunderstood something, Chris. I followed the link and
went to the wind turbine section of that site, where I found the Air
turbine from Southwest Windpower. In general, for a turbine to
survive it has to be built very strong. Among the modern, home sized
units available for purchase in North America, the Bergeys are about
as tough as they come. If you go to the Bergey site and click on the
"tornado tough" link, they've provided evidence of how their machines
have survived in the presence of some of the worst weather on earth.
http://www.bergey.com/
Here's a quote from the site:
"On Monday, May 3rd, 1999 an F5 tornado (see NOAA definition below),
the most severe and destructive class of tornado, tore through Moore,
Oklahoma, approximately 6 miles North of BWC's factory. This tornado
destroyed thousands of homes, did $1.5 billion in total damage, and
killed 36 people. "I had only been down in my storm shelter for a
minute when I heard this awful racket. I peeked out the door, and the
building was gone." Delbert Thornhill, of Moore, describing the
destruction of his garage. His Bergey Excel-S wind turbine, installed
in 1985, stands 20 feet away on an 80 ft. self-supporting tower.
The wind turbine suffered some damage to its tail and blades from
flying debris. The photo on the left above shows the turbine the
following day. Debris from the destroyed garage can be seen at the
base of the tower. The photo on the right shows the fused disconnect
switch box at the base of the tower. Notice the piece of wood which
has pierced the steel enclosure of the switch box. This indicates that
the local wind speed was probably in excess of 220 mph.
Behind the switch you can see one of the homes destroyed by the
tornado. The blades, tail fin, and disconnect switch were replaced and
the wind system was put back in service within a week.
NOAA Definition for an F5 Tornado:
Category F5: Incredible Damage (261- 318 mph); Strong frame houses
lifted off foundations and swept away; automobile sized missiles fly
through the air in excess of 100 meters (109 yards); trees debarked;
incredible phenomena will occur.
***IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT F-SCALE WINDS: Do not use F-scale winds
literally. These wind speed numbers are estimates and have never been
scientifically verified. Different wind speeds may cause
similar-looking damage from place to place—even from building to
building. Without a thorough engineering analysis of tornado damage in
any event, the actual wind speeds needed to cause that damage are
unknown."
That's pretty incredible!
robert luis rabello
"The Edge of Justice"
Adventure for Your Mind
http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=9782>
Ranger Supercharger Project Page
http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/
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